Lisbon Republican hopes to reclaim his former seat on St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators

Friday, April 11, 2014 - 2:57 pm

By JIMMY LAWTON

LISBON -- Lisbon business owner and former St. Lawrence County Legislator David Forsythe says he hopes to replace Mark Akins, who will not be seeking reelection.

Forsythe is a co-owner of the Basswood Lodge & Hunting Preserve, Rensselaer Falls, and a partner in Wilder-Forsythe Insurance.

He served on the county legislature for three years before challenging and losing to Addie J. Russell in a in 2010 Assembly race.

Since then he has stayed away from politics, opting to spend more time with his family. However Forsythe says a video released by the St. Lawrence County Democratic Party, which can be seen here, pushed him to run again.

He said the video boasts accomplishments, but the reality is the Democrat-controlled board of legislators has depleted fund balance and raised taxes.

“Look at what they did the year before the sales tax was passed. They had a double-digit increase property taxes,” he said.

Forsythe said the increase in sales tax used to offset that increase has him concerned.

“I’d like to see the Republicans take back control of the legislature,” he said. “My main goal is making sure we live within our means and stay under the tax cap.”

Forsythe said the Democrats policy of using one-time money to balance the budget was irresponsible and why he repeatedly voted no on past budgets when he was on the board.

Forsythe said he is also hopeful that challengers will be successful in unseating Democrats like Sam Burns and Fred Morrill, who have been challenged by Republicans Don Hooper and Larry Denesha.

Forsythe said he expects the county will be faced with decreased tax revenues as Alcoa East Plant will likely seek a lower assessment like GM did following its closure. He said the loss of jobs could also mean a dive in tax revenues.